[Irritation test of dexamethasone valerate (DV-17) and other steroid ointments in rabbits. Skin and eye primary irritation tests, and skin cumulative irritation test].

The skin and eye primary irritation tests, and skin cumulative irritation test were performed on male rabbits, which were topically treated with a volume of 1 g/body of 0.06% and 0.12% dexamethasone valerate (DV-17) ointments as a test drug, and 0.1% hydrocortisone butyrate (HB) and 0.12% betamethasone valerate (BMV) ointments as an active control drug in order to evaluate the topical and systemic effects. No skin and eye primary irritations except minimal skin erythema and slight conjunctival redness were seen in above four corticosteroids. Judging from the results such as skin atrophy, inhibition of body weight gains, and decreases of thymus, spleen and adrenal weights, the potency of toxicities among the four corticosteroid ointments appeared to be as follows: 0.12% DV-17, 0.12% BMV greater than 0.1% HB greater than 0.06% DV-17.